Wet weekend ahead for Gauteng residents

Residents in Gauteng are being warned to brace for a wet and stormy weekend, with severe thunderstorms forecast for most parts of the province.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says there is a 60% chance of showers and thundershowers, which could bring heavy rain, lightning, and possible localised flooding in some areas.

Forescaster, Lehohonolo Thobela, says there is a widespread chance of showers also expected across parts of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.

“A yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms is expected, but becomes a yellow level 4 warning over most parts of the eastern areas of the north-west into Gauteng, as well as the south-western parts of Mpumalanga,” Thobela said.

“If you will be in the Free State Province, the north-west as well as the eastern parts of the Northern Cape, expect an orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms,  which is expected to result in significant impacts of heavy downpours that may lead to localised flooding, a possibility of damaging winds, as well as the possibility of hail and excessive lightning into the evening.”

Thobela has urged the public to exercise caution, warning that the thunderstorms could lead to disruptive impacts.

“If you are travelling, keep a safe distance and make sure that you keep your headlights on during the rain.”

Yellow level 2 : Severe thunderstorms
Affected area : Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga
Validity period: 06-07 March 2026 #saws #weatheroutlook #southafricanweather #Warning #flood #flooding pic.twitter.com/JK8RGCkH6U

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) March 6, 2026

Faith-based organisations have also been warned to avoid conducting baptism or cleansing rituals in river streams during this rainy period.

This is to avoid drowning incidents where congregants might be swept away in the water.

Emergency services spokesperson in Johannesburg, Robert Mulaudzi, has also called on motorists to avoid crossing flooded roads and low-lying bridges.

“EMS Units, Disaster Management Monitoring Teams and the Swift Water Rescue Unit remain on high alert, monitoring all seven regions for any emergencies which might occur,” he said.

Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, says teams have been deployed to areas including Newcastle, Port Shepstone, and Pietermaritzburg.

Floods have continued to impact the province, with some families still living in temporary shelters since April 2022, when heavy rains first caused widespread flooding.

Media Release: Storms and persistent tropical rainfall in the days ahead pic.twitter.com/jFjEbhvcnU

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) March 5, 2026